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Rep. Mueller, Michigan House approve COVID-19 recovery plan
RELEASE|February 4, 2021
Contact: Mike Mueller

Funding will help struggling job providers, get kids back in school

State Rep. Mike Mueller today helped the House approve a comprehensive COVID-19 recovery plan to get kids back in classrooms, help struggling families and job providers, and improve the state’s flawed vaccine distribution program.

The $3.5 billion plan advances to the Senate for further consideration.

“We’re acting quickly to get COVID relief to the people and the areas where it is needed most without handing over a blank check to the governor,” said Mueller, of Linden. “This plan provides additional support for vaccine distribution while adding needed oversight, transparency and accountability. We’re getting kids back into the classroom and opening up sports, so parents can decide what is best for their kids. Restaurants in our community that have been struggling as a result of Michigan’s harshest-in-the-nation COVID restrictions are getting access to critical funds.”

Highlights of the House plan include:

Helping families: Families have been pushed to the brink by the governor’s COVID restrictions, which continue to be among the harshest in the nation. The plan provides $510 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding, while other investments support meals for seniors, mental health, and substance abuse prevention and treatment. Families also are eligible for rent and utility assistance, and a deposit into the unemployment benefits trust fund helps ensure those laid off because of COVID restrictions will continue to receive the benefits they’ve been promised.

Helping kids: Many students in Michigan haven’t seen the inside of a classroom in nearly a year. They’re not being allowed to participate in winter sports. The House plan provides $363 million statewide for districts committing to in-person instruction by Feb. 15, provides support through federal Title I dollars, and funds benchmark assessments to help determine where students stand after this tumultuous year. A voluntary K-8 summer school program would be funded with $135 million – plus $1,000 incentives for participating teachers, $250 incentives for participating staff, and up to $250 to help families cover associated costs such as transportation and tutoring. A high school credit recovery program would also be available.

Helping job providers: Restaurants and other small businesses – along with the workers who depend on them – are fighting for economic survival. The House plan supports businesses restricted by the governor’s COVID orders with a $415 million grant program, including reimbursement of liquor and health inspection fees. The package also includes support for property tax relief and help for afflicted job providers who pay into the unemployment benefits system.

Fighting the virus:  Additional resources for vaccine distribution and COVID testing would be allocated quarterly as needed – rather than all at once – to allow more legislative review of the process and ensure funds aren’t squandered. The Legislature approved more than $50 million for vaccine distribution in December. This new plan provides an additional initial investment of $22 million for vaccine distribution, and $144 million for COVID testing. Other resources will be held in reserve for when they are needed.

Mueller said the plan does not include money for items the governor proposed – such as Capitol metal detectors and corporate giveaways for new job creation – because those issues aren’t related to COVID.

“We just can’t count on the governor to properly manage our state’s recovery from this pandemic – and we certainly can’t take her for her word when she says she wants to work together,” Mueller said. “The Legislature has a duty to make sure taxpayer dollars are used effectively and responsibly. Unlike the governor’s proposal, our plan uses federal resources wisely and adds layers of accountability to make sure no more taxpayer dollars are squandered away.”

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